Mail Boxes Etc. UK & Ireland's blog

The long-awaited, incredible new animation,Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse opens in cinemas on 12 December and retail post, parcel and print specialist Mail Boxes Etc. is one of the leading brands working with Sony Pictures to help promote the movie in the UK and Ireland.

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse introduces Brooklyn teen Miles Morales as the all-new Spider-Man, and the limitless possibilities of the Spider-Verse, where more than one can wear the mask. To celebrate the launch of the film, MBE is offering customers the chance to enter a free prize draw to win a family trip to New York City, where the film’s action is set. The winners will check into their luxury hotel for a four-night stay and enjoy all the sights of Spider-Man’s hometown, including a superhero-sized feast at NYC’s comic book-themed restaurant. The competition is free to enter and no purchase is necessary.

MBE’s marketing manager, James Simmons, says: “This exciting campaign sets us apart because it’s unusual for a post, parcel and print franchise to work alongside a film to promote its services. The fact that we are one of just a handful of top brands Sony is working with is testament to both our innovative approach and the success of our previous film collaborations.”

MBE has more than 150 high street stores in the UK and Ireland, providing plenty of retail locations and a healthy footfall that’s ripe for displaying the Spider-Man promotional material to customers and passers-by.

“We’re hoping that customers visiting their local Mail Boxes Etc. will be impressed by the colourful store displays. And in the run-up to Christmas we have free Spider-Man calendars to give away that will help focus customers’ minds on print,” continues Simmons.

Neil Moore, who with his wife Tracey owns the Mail Boxes Etc. store in Plymouth, is using the promotion to demonstrate how to use traditional print in creative ways.

“The pairs card decks and personalised calendars are great for executive give-aways,” he explains, “while we’re giving out the collectable postcards as an alternative to ordinary flyers. The life-sized standees are another imaginative way to get the message across and make an eye-catching alternative to pop-up banners at events or retail displays.”

With more MBE stores investing in graphic designers to help bring customers’ ideas to life, franchisees are increasing sales of digital print and finishing services in-store, as well as raising awareness of MBE’s post and worldwide parcel delivery solutions.

“The superhero theme of the movie lends itself well to our ethos of customer service that goes beyond the everyday,” concludes Simmons. “We’re promoting our franchisees as the heroes they are – ‘super-powering’ customers’ print, parcels, post, mailbox services and much more. We think customers will respond well, and we’re looking forward to reaching new audiences too, thanks to Spider-Man’s broad appeal.”

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse opens in cinemas across the UK and Ireland on 12 December, with previews on the weekend before. To enter MBE’s prize draw, go to www.mbe.co.uk/spider-man. No purchase necessary. Full terms and conditions are available online.